Continuing Ed/ge

Continuing Ed/geBiblical Studies With a Difference

No Prerequisites. Evening Sessions.
No Formal Assignments.

Ever wondered why the good creation included the serpent of Genesis? Or whether God really called for the Canaanite genocide? Or knows what it is like to give birth? If you have—or if your curiosity is aroused—Continuing Ed/ge may be for you!

This new ICS program is for anyone who wants to engage Scripture in an “adult ed” or “continuing ed” setting. There are no prerequisites and no formal requirements (other than reading biblical material ahead of class). You can take one or all of the modules. The sessions will take place in the evenings.

The overall program will work through much of the Old Testament and New Testament, paying special attention to three key themes:

the evocative-provocative call of wisdom

the meaning and significance ofgender

the nature ofpowerand violence

Participants may take up to 10 modules, each consisting of six, two-hour sessions (presentations and discussion):

Genesis

Exodus–Deuteronomy

Genesis–Judges on violence/genocide, with special attention to Joshua

Job; Proverbs

1–2 Samuel; 1–2 Kings; 1–2 Chronicles

Ruth; Song of Songs; Ecclesiastes; Lamentations; Esther

Jeremiah; Daniel; Malachi

Mark; John

Romans; Paul and gender

Revelation

The instructor will be Nik Ansell, ICS Senior Member in Theology. Nik is an experienced teacher in continuing education and an established author in biblical studies. You can hear from Nik in the video below or you can read one of his more popular pieces here.

MODULE 1

Genesis

Why does Genesis introduce “God” in the plural? Why does the Hebrew text (but not most translations) seem to exclude the wild animals from human “dominion”? Why is Eve called Adam’s “helper”? Who are the “sons of God” and why are they so taken with the “daughters of men”? What kind of god would test Abraham by calling for the sacrifice of his son? Does Lot really intend to betray his daughters to the mob? Who does Jacob wrestle with at the Jabbok—Man, God, or Angel?—and does the Genesis narrative suggest an answer that has been overlooked? These are the kinds of questions we will discuss in module 1.

As this module is foundational to the overall program, it will be offered twice in 2019: